Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Properly to understand this great subject it is necessary to consider - I. THAT MAN IS ENDOWED WITH SPIRITUAL SENSES. 1. The body is the material image of the soul. (1) The Scriptures suggest this truth when they speak of the "natural man" and the "spiritual man;" of the "outward man" and the "inward man;" of the "hidden man of the heart" as opposed to the ostensible man of the body (1 Corinthians 2:14, 15; 2 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Peter 3:4). (2) It is involved in the doctrine of the image of God in man. Man is not an incorporeal but an incarnate spirit. After this definition, he is "in the image and after the similitudes of God." In these "similitudes" God revealed himself to man in corporeal human form. (3) If the spirit be the counterpart of the body, there must be spiritual to correspond to corporeal senses. 2. We experience spiritual sensation. (1) This is acknowledged in current language. We talk of ideas, or things seen, viz. in the mind. Of soul-perceptions we say, "I see," "I feel;" "He is a man of taste;" "His scent is keen." (2) These senses are generally recognized in Scripture (see Philippians 1:9, margin; also Hebrews 5:14). They are spiritual senses whose function is to discriminate in moral subjects. (3) They are mentioned in detail. Thus: Feeling (Acts 17:27; Ephesians 4:19). Tasting (Psalm 34:8; Hebrews 6:4, 5; 1 Peter 2:3). Smelling (Psalm 45:8; Song of Solomon 1:3; Matthew 16:23; 2 Corinthians 2:14). Hearing (Isaiah 50:4, 5; John 10:3, 4; John 18:37). Seeing (Acts 26:18; Ephesians 1:18). (4) We experience them in dreaming when the mind imposes upon itself the spiritual for the corporeal sensations. This is imagination? Just so. The faculty of imagination is the sensorium, or seat of the senses of the spirit. II. THAT MORAL PURITY IS THE CONDITION OF THEIR HIGHEST EXERCISE. 1. To the pure especially God reveals himself in his works. (1) In his works his power, wisdom, and goodness may be "seen" even by the heathen (Romans 1:20). (2) By the pure all this is invested with superior lustre. Things take complexion from the mental moods of the observer. The best mental mood in which to see God in nature is when the soul is lifted into the sunshine of his grace. (3) The child of God sees the hand of a Father in the works of God. "My Father made them all." 2. To the pure exclusively God reveals himself by his Spirit. (1) This revelation of God is that more especially intended here. (2) There is the personal manifestation of the Son of God (see John 14:15-23). This vision is peculiar to the spiritual. Philip did not truly see Jesus, though corporeally before him, until the eyes of his spirit were opened to see the Father in the Son - the Godhead in the manhood. (3) The world have no such vision of God. If they regard this doctrine as fanatical, this is just what Scripture leads us to expect from them (see i Con. 2:14, 15). "Eyes have they, but they see not; ears, but they hear not." 3. Spiritual revelation is often vivid. (1) The visions of the prophets were so. Whether they came in "dreams" or in "open vision." These were impressions made upon the senses of the soul. The "visions of God" were sometimes overwhelming (cf. Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 10:7, 8; Revelation 1:17). (2) They were so vivid as to be mistaken for corporeal impressions. Samuel thought that a sound came to his outward ear when God spoke into the ear of his soul. Eli was within the range of natural hearing, but heard not this voice (1 Samuel 3:8). Peter, when his corporeal senses were addressed, familiar with the vividness of spiritual impressions, "thought he saw a vision" (Acts 12:9). Paul, in his famous rapture, could not determine whether he was "in the body or out of the body" - whether his bodily or spiritual senses were addressed (1 Corinthians 12:1-4). 4. We have now the philosophy of religious experience. (1) What is the "witness of the Spirit" to a man's adoption into the family of God but an address made by the Spirit of God to the spirit of the believer? In such "spiritual revelations" we enjoy communion with God. (2) They are sometimes as vivid as were the visions of prophecy. Who has not heard narratives of such experiences from the children of God? (3) Let us seek earnestly that purity which qualifies us for this nobler spiritual vision. By complete self-consecration. By habits of faith. By habits of holy living. III. THAT THE FUTURE OPENS PROSPECTS OF SUPERIOR SENSATION. 1. In the experiences of the disembodied state. (1) We are in this earth principally conversant with the material. It is so by our constitution. Angels are about us, but we see them not. The body acts as a veil to obstruct our spiritual vision. (2) But the veil is torn in death. When the veil of Christ's flesh was torn, the veil of the temple was torn. The most holy place then discovered was the type of heaven. (3) Then shall we see God as the angels do continually behold his face. The most holy place of the temple was the place of the Shechinah. (4) Then also shall we recover our friends. In the spiritual world spirits will take palpable shape. They will appear as embodied, and be identified through the correspondence which there is between the body and the mind. 2. In the experiences of the resurrection-state. (1) As these bodies are psychical or soulish, i.e. adapted to the companionship of the appetitive soul, so will the body of the resurrection be "spiritual," i.e. adapted to the companionship of the rational, contemplative spirit. (See the noble sermons of Bishop Ellicott, in his volume entitled, 'The Destiny of the Creature.') Being "spiritual," the body will no longer act as a veil to obstruct the freedom of spiritual sensation. (2) Corporeal sensation will be improved. Defects, effects of sin, will have no place. The powers of sensation will be enlarged. Vision may be telescopic and microscopic. Hearing may be telephonic and microphonic. We may experience compound sensation. We may at once see as well as hear sound. We may at once hear as well as see colour. (3) Corporeal and spiritual sensations will articulate. They do so now, in part; but then perfectly. What worlds of fresh experience, comparison, and reflection will be opened when we see together the material and spiritual complements of the great universe of God! (4) Divine revelations will then be grauder. The new heavens and earth will open to us a materialism of richer harmonies. Added also to the discovery of spiritual natures, there will be the royal vision of God in a glorified Christ. Let us wash in the fountain opened in the house of David, that we may be qualified for a blessedness that eye hath not seen. - J.A.M. Parallel Verses KJV: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. |
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